AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT, COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

FINAL REPORT

1. G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N Dates of the fair:

August 21 – 23, 2014 August 24, 2014

between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Venue:

Výstavisko Agrokomplex Nitra; www.agrokomplex.sk

Organizer:

Agrokomplex - Výstavníctvo Nitra, š.p., Výstavná 4, 94901 Nitra

Co-organizers:

Under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the SR Ľubomír Jahnátek The Co-operative Union of the Slovak Republic Coop product Slovakia National Agricultural and Foodstuffs Centre Animal Breeding Inspection of the SR Unions of Breeders of Farm Animals and Small-Scale Breeders Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra Representation of European Commission in the Slovak Republic Agrion – Union of Producers and Vendors of Agricultural Technology in SR ÚKSÚP Nové Zámky

Thematic exhibitions of the fair

9th National Exhibition of Farm Animals Regions of Slovakia - 12

th exhibition of rural tourism and development of

regions, COOPEXPO – 21

st international cooperative contracting and sales exhibition of

consumer goods Renewable energy sources – 9

th exhibition

Crafts markets - 17th

contracting and sales exhibition of small- and mid-scale entrepreneurs

Discovering fairytale countryside Peasant´s courtyard Days of the field – exposition of vegetables Days of the field – mechanization Farmers´ markets Harvest Festival at Chrenová Fruit of the year – 1

st exhibition

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

ENERGIE, COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

ZDROJE

2. STATISTIC DATA

In comparison with the year 2013 an increase in decisive indicators was recorded – we increased the exhibition area as well as the number of visitors and accredited journalists . Visit rate was increased by more than 15 %.

3. P R O F E S S I O N A L E V E N T S

The International Agricultural and Foodstuffs Exhibition Agrokomplex belongs among the most significant ones of its kind in Slovakia. It was held at the Exhibition Center of Agrokomplex Nitra between August 21 and 24, 2014. The 41

s t exhibition was held under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural

Development of the Slovak Republic Ľubomír Jahnátek.

The International Exhibition Agrokomplex, National Exhibition of Farm Animals and other sub-exhibitions provided space for 527 exhibiting companies from all over Slovakia and also from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Belorussia and France, i n o r d e r t o s u c c e s s f u l l y present their products. T h e e v e n t w a s v i s i t e d b y m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d c o m m e r c i a l c o m p a n i e s f r o m t h e f i e l d o f a g r i c u l t u r e a n d f o o d s t u f f s , suppliers of agricultural machines and mechanization, garden technology, technologies for animal production, f o r a g e p r o d u c t i o n , s pecialized breeding unions, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the SR, Agency for Rural Development, as well as professional and scientific institutions.

AWARDING SIGNIFICANT PRIZES

During the fair, several significant prizes have been awarded. Within the framework of the National program of support of agricultural products and foodstuffs the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded the prizes Grade Label SK and Grade Level SK Gold to the selected agricultural products and foodstuffs. Significant awards, such as Golden S ickle , Champion of the Exh ibit ion as well as awards of an im al product ion , Pr ize of the Cooperative Union of the SR, awarding departmental badges of honor to best employees of the resort Ministry were neither missing.

4. THEMATIC EXHIBITIONS OF THE FAIR, NOVELTIES OF THE FAIR

REGIONS OF SLOVAKIA, GRADE LABEL SK The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the SR presented itself with its own stand along with the Grade Label in pavilion M1; altogether 17 holders of this award were in their own expositions. Interactive educational “Health Pyramid” was a novelty in pavilion M1“.

2014

Number of exhibitors 527

Exhibition area (external, internal)

31 247 m²

Number of visitors 107 738

Number of accredited journalists 213

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

Attractive program with the performances of folk ensemble, singing groups and music bands was prepared by the Agency for Rural Development. National Network of Rural Development of the SR, local action groups, regions, civic associations and micro-regions were presented here.

NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF FARM ANIMALS This year, the national exhibition of farm animals dominated in the expositions of animal production. Specialized breeding unions prepared attractive for spectators displays of farm animals, program performances, presentment of small-scale breeding as well as professional consultancy. Nationa l stud farm Topoľč ianky, DD Ranch and Equifarm ranch traditionally appeared with in the f ramework o f the accompanying program. Visitors could see displays of shepherding of sheep by shepherd dog, assembly of Haflins mares and Sundays´ afternoon belonged again to waggoner´s contest in heavy heaving. Gourmands came into their own at goulash feast – comp et i t i on in gou la sh cook ing a s we l l a s b aked bu l l w i th in th e pro mot i on of good qua l i ty b ee f m eat .

FARMER´S YARD “AT RESEARCHISTS” Last year´s novelty „Rural world as seen by očami

a child living in the countryside – Farmer´s yard “At Researchists” “ recorded an extraordinary success and in this year it belonged among the most attractive expositions at the

Agrokomplex exhibition. On the area of approx. 900 m2 in pavilion Z1 visitors could see sucklings of scrubfowl and water fowl, rabbits, hogs and sheep, mainly of our national and original breeds with an opportunity of a direct contact of visitors with animals.

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

T h i s p r o j e c t a i m e d a t increasing the interest in farming and to motivate children and young generation in independent breed of animals, to the study at secondary schools with agricultural focus. Displays of production of products like cheeses or sausages were held within the framework of Farmer´s yard.

COOPEXPO Coop Product Slovakia and Union of Agricultural Collectives and Trading Companies presented themselves in the joint stand of the Cooperative Union of the SR. Visitors could enjoy expositions of building and cooperative societies, creative manufactories, presentations of private secondary vocational schools from Poprad and Bardejov, fashion shows and music and dancing performances.

CULINARY CORNER with Ľubomír HERKO and Vojto Artz Visitors´ harts were warmed by the unique Culinary corner in pavilion M1. Well-known chefs Ľubomír Herko and Vojto Artz cooked the best of Slovak foodstuffs´ market with the Grade label SK. In the special “Culinary corner”, in which presentation events and tasting of the holders of the Grade label SK were held during the fair, Ľubomír Herko showed his culinary art by preparing both traditional and non-traditional meals made of domestic materials, while Vojto Artz prepared real specialties of sweet-water fish.

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

DISCOVERING FAIRYTALE COUNTRYSIDE Last year visitors had the opportunity to enjoy Wanderings around the Slovak countryside. This year the name of exposition changed into the Discovering fairytale countryside and it was extended by several completely new amusing educational attractions. Getting to know the countryside has never been more interactive. Lovely miracles of the Slovak nature and farmstead enriched with fairytale motifs brought to pass smile and memories of parents of young researchers of the most beautiful moments not only from the holidays in the countryside at old parents, but also from bygone times when they were children. Discovering started with reading the fairytale book situated in the center, which helped guiding the young excursionists along educational paths. Enormous amount of attractions offered beautiful time to children by means of a labyrinth with an observation, child´s playground, opportunities to take photos with fairytale figures Maťko and Kubko, shadow play, falcon´s predators training and many others. Parents, or older visitors, had the chance to see craftsmen, ground treatment, permaculture, modification of fruits and vegetables into the products, human foot and eco impacts.

FISHBREEDING Participation in the exhibition within the framework of the Operation program “Fishbreeding” contributes to the fulfilment of goals of the provision 3.2 Support and development of new markets, particularly “Support of fish consumption and their promotion”. “Image” of sweet water fish in the eyes of Slovak consumers can be improved by means of such events. Exposition of Fishbreeding was divided into pavilions M1 and F. One part of the first of them was an information stand, where visitors could get to know all necessary information, for example, on collecting financial means for the breeding of sweet water fish. They could also taste specials and meals prepared from various kinds of fish. Pavilion F contained exposition with aquariums and displays of sweet water fish. We hope that initiative and direct presentation have contributed to p o s i t i v e e m o t i o n s connected with fish consumption and ultimately will have lead to an increase in sweet water fish consumption in Slovakia.

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH FISH In connection with presenting sweet water fish consumption, this year we succeeded in bringing an absolute novelty for visitors – a test of fishing skills. Fishing enthusiasts or curious fellows could catch fish directly in the rear part of the area, near shepherd´s huts, on the fish pond No. 4 (see the map). Every visitor could borrow equipment for fishing upon registration. Visitors could catch a carp directly in the fish pond, while trout were placed in the smaller pond nearby. After weighing (and paying for) the caught fish every proud fisherman could take them home. Who did not feel like taking the fish home to process it, he could pay and have the fish professionally disemboweled. For those without any enthusiasm for fishing itself, but with appetite for fish specials, there was a possibility to order fish on a plate.

DAYS OF THE FIELD AT AGROKOMPLEX This year the shows and displays were divided into two parts: Days of the field – vegetables exposition, and Days of the field - mechanization. Year 2014 was characteristic for already 3

rd Days of the field – mechanizations,

prepared in cooperation with the association Agrion. It was possible to see soil cultivation (ploughing, pre-sowing ploughing, sowing) on exhibition fields with the acreage of approx. 5 h. One part of the displays was also very attractive 2

nd presentation of vegetables growing in cooperation with ÚKSUP Nové Zámky and the company

Agrofim Slovak, s.r.o.

TRAIN TRIP WITH DISPLAYS OF FRUIT TREES CUTTING AND BUD GRAFTING An opportunity to participate in unique lectures and cutting displays by the chairman of RV SZZ Eduard Jakubek was the proof of a real benefit. Moreover, every devoted gardener could take a train into fruit groves in the rear part of the area, where he could perform his fruit tree cutting skills under professional surveillance.

AGROKOMPLEX, NÁRODNÁ VÝSTAVA HOSPODÁRSKYCH ZVIERAT,

COOPEXPO, REGIÓNY SLOVENSKA, OBNOVITEĽNÉ ZDROJE ENERGIE, ŽIVNOSTENSKÉ TRHY (21. – 24.8.2014)

SLOVAK AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM WITH AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAM Slovak Agricultural Museum, which forms a part of the exhibition area, delighted its supporters by an interesting program. Well-known Tractorparade and displays of cutting with a scythe were offered. Visitors could taste traditional chicory coffee, wine in the vineyard house, or distilled beverages in the common distillery. Eyes were comforted also by the displays of baking in a classical oven , oil pressing using classical balk press and trashing. Possibility to take a popular historical train operated by Nitra Field Railway was very attractive.

HARVEST FESTIVAL, STANDS AT CHRENOVA, FARMERS MARKETS “Harvest Festival” and “Stands at Chrenova” are the two popular events traditionally organized by the Town of Nitra during the exhibition Agrokomplex. They are full of amusement, interesting accompanying events and folklore. Brass bands and music groups Taktici, Country Limit Club and many others were undoubtedly a lure for the visitors. The festival was organized in front of the entrance to the exh ibition area and was free for a wide public. These unique events offer an opportunity for all who want to spend warm August days with an interesting program. Farmers´ Days in pavilion M2 were neither missing. Approx. 80 small-scale farmers from Slovakia with their unique offer of products introduced themselves in stylish stands.. Market of folk crafts was also a part of the show.